ACS Energy Letters

Researchers from SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), at Osaka University in collaboration with researchers from Imperial College London (UK) have improved the Faradaic efficiency of the nitrogen reduction reaction into ammonia by straightforward optimization of chemical process parameters. They found that trace water was the probable source of the high selectivity by facilitating incorporation of lithium oxide into the solid electrolyte interphase. These findings will also aid optimization of other analogous reactions, and thus help the chemicals industry optimize the sustainability of one of the most carbon-intensive reactions globally.

Perovskite colloidal quantum dots (Pe-CQDs) are highly promising nanocrystals for optoelectronic applications. However, the size of the crystals should ideally be equal to ensure a consistent energy landscape. In a recent study, scientists clarified the relationship between differences in particle size—polydispersity—and the optoelectronic characteristics of Pe-CQDs. They showed that using equally sized, or ‘monodisperse,’ quantum dots results in markedly better performance in Pe-CQD solar cells, paving the way for future optoelectronic devices.

Researchers in South Korea have presented an easy, facile, and cost-effective synthetic method, capable of stabilizing perovskites without addition of foreign coating materials in aqueous media.

A mild post-fabrication doping approach can boost the solar conversion of quantum dot-based photovoltaic cells.

New evidence of surface-initiated crystallization may improve the efficiency of printable photovoltaic materials.

Simple chemicals called glycol ethers help make better perovskite thin films for solar cells.